Boats are now banned from waters near St. Thomas airport due to low-flying planes
What happened
The Coast Guard has created a new "safety zone" in the waters west of Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. This zone bans all vessels and people from entering without special permission, to protect them from low-flying aircraft.
Why it matters
This rule means boaters and other marine traffic can no longer access a specific area of water near the airport. It formally acknowledges a risk that was previously unaddressed: that low-flying planes could pose a danger to people and boats below. The Coast Guard now has a clear legal basis to enforce this exclusion.
The signal
Watch for any reported incidents or near-misses in the area, which would indicate whether the safety zone is effectively preventing conflicts between aircraft and marine traffic.